Page 48 - Encyclopedia of Chemical Compounds 3 Vols

WordstoKnow

PRECIPITATE A solid material that settles out of a solution,
often as the result of a chemical reaction.

PRECURSOR A compound that gives rise to some other com-
pound in a series of reactions.

PROPRIETARY Manufactured, sold, or known only by the
owner of the item’s patent.

PROSTAGLANDINS A group of potent hormone-like sub-
stances that are produced in various tissues of the
body. Prostaglandins help with a wide range of physiolo-
gical functions, such as control of blood pressure,
contraction of smooth muscles, and modulation of inflam-
mation.

PROTEIN A large, complex compound made of long chains of
amino acids. Proteins have a number of essential func-
tions in living organisms.
•
Q

QUARRY An open pit, often big, that is used to obtain stone.
•
R

REAGENT A substance that is employed to react, measure, or
detect with another substance.

REDUCTION A chemical reaction in which oxygen is removed
from a substance or electrons are added to a substance.

REFRACTORY A material with a high melting point, resistant
to melting, often used to line the interior of industrial
furnaces.

RESIN A solid or semi-solid organic material that is used to
make lacquers, adhesives, plastics, and many other clear
substances.

CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS xlvii